One or two embryos??

[LSandJ]

Trying to decide whether to go for another double or a single this time.

We've done 3x singles. 1xdouble. All BFN, although some chemical pregnancies, all negative by OTD.

We have had a lot of tests now. PgTA, hysteroscopy, Era, Emma, Alice.

Last time thr double was with euploid embryos but we hadn't yet done to era. We now know to adjust timing and need and extra 24 hours of progesterone.

Dr says even though PgTA tested we Can have a double if we want, but they don't recommend.

I feel a bit like either both will work or none well. If none do, then we've wasted an embryo??!!

If they both work, obviously higher risk with twins, but also then we never have to go through this ivf hell again.

Any advice would be much appreciated?!!

We were set on a double and happy with twins, even quite excited for twins. But now I'm scared about 'wasting' an embryo (we only have 2 euploid left and one mosaic) and my wife is starting to think about how much harder twins will be. The Dr seemed to think go for 1. If the 2nd embryo was meant to be then it would work in a year or so for a sibling too (not sure it would be as easy as that tho!!)

Thoughts either way please?!!!

[Millbanks]

Hi lovely, we were only offered a single transfer with a PGT tested embryo - I think maybe because I'm under 40 - but they said the chances of it working were so much higher and the risks with twins are greater.We also had done 4 x double transfers and 1 x single and none had worked. Our last transfer was with our new ERA timing, PGT tested single embryo and steroids, and it stuck.

I have to say that I'm really grateful to have a single baby in there - as it's not been without issues and having 2 would be really hard! I'm in awe of those who have twins!

Best of luck xx

[LSandJ in reply to Millbanks]

Hi, thank you for your reply! I'm also under 40! I think they'd certainly prefer a single for us. But have already had the double PGTA but not with new era timings.Also haven't had any tests for NK cells and they won't allow me to add steroids 'in case' (but nor will they do the testing!) which steroids did you take? And from postive or before?

[Millbanks in reply to LSandJ]

I was disappointed that they'd only let me transfer 1 - but as I say, now I'm glad!!So we'd never had a positive before our 6th transfer. We'd done 1 transfer with the new ERA timing but not the combo of ERA / PGT. So I think it's getting all the pieces in place that matters.

I took 20mg prednisolone a day after having the blood test that showed high NK cells - I'd never tried those before so I think the combo of all 3 was the winner for us. x

[LSandJ]

Ah I see! So your double after the ERA weren't PGTA tested, but also you hadn't added in the steroids.So we did ours a little bit the other way around. Starting to worry that I should have the NK cell testing first though! My clinic doesn't do it. Was it at your clinic?

I think we are definitely swaying to one. As you say, double could be hard (even harder). Plus if it doesn't work we still have another go. Whereas if the double fails we have to do another collection...!

[Millbanks in reply to LSandJ]

Yes exactly - we did things an odd way round. We did have the immune bloods done at our clinic - they were quite expensive but well worth it - and didn't take too long to come back either.

There are other clinics that will do stand alone immune testing (without you having to do all your treatment there) so if you are really worried then maybe you could look in to that?

I'd be tempted to try a single with your ERA/PGT and if that's not successful maybe go down the Immune route?

It's tricky with Covid though as a lot of clinics are reluctant / not allowed to prescribe steroids during a pandemic - we were really lucky with timings as I did my FET with steroids just as lockdown was lifted in June.

[LSandJ in reply to Millbanks]

I think you might be right there. Hit the nail on the head. Do a single and then if still no luck explore immune! I worry that if I did a double and it failed it would feel like wasting an embryo (that's kinda how I felt last time before we had our Era timing).Thank you for your input!

Good luck with the rest of your pregnancy and hope it is less eventful!!!

[Millbanks in reply to LSandJ]

That is what I would do - and like you say, you don't feel like you've wasted a perfectly good embryo - PGT ones are hard to come by!Thank you very much - fingers crossed!

Best of luck lovely xx